Mark Sampson will receive a pay-off of around £80,000 from the FA after he was dismissed from his role as the England women’s team manager.

But if the 34-year-old decides to launch a legal case for unfair dismissal against the governing body and wins, it is understood he could walk away with closer to £160,000.

Sampson’s contract — worth between £100,000 and £150,000 a year — was terminated last week after FA chief executive Martin Glenn acted on a 2015 safeguarding report on the manager which covered his time at Bristol Academy.

In it were details of an ‘inappropriate relationship’ and, while there was no suggestion of any illegality on Sampson’s behalf, Glenn felt the FA had no other option but to let him go.

The £80,000 he is set to receive will cover a defined period of the two years Sampson had left on his contract.

But he could double that if the FA are adjudged to have sacked him unfairly.

Sampson has been sacked (Image: FIFA)

It is unlikely that either party would want the case to go to court but such a move could mean further embarrassment for the FA on top of what is already a painful episode for them.

Ironically, the £80,000 figure Sampson is due is the same fee Eni Aluko was due to receive from the FA as a settlement over claims of racism she made against her former manager.

That FA have subsequently confirmed that part of that fee has been withheld amid a dispute over whether Aluko has breached terms of that agreement.

Sampson and the FA have been engulfed in a storm since the former England player went public with claims that Sampson made racist remarks to her and team-mate Drew Spence.

Eni Aluko accused Sampson of bullying and racism (Image: PA)

Further accusations that there was a culture of bullying during Sampson’s reign were levelled at him by players Lianne Sanderson and Anita Asante.

Sampson has been cleared by two enquiries into his behaviour, the second of which was took place recently and was conducted by independent barrister Katherine Newton.

However, Spence has subsequently backed up Aluko’s claim that Sampson did allegedly aim a racist remark at her during one team meeting and the FA are understood to be considering reopening the case.

The situation will be discussed further at an FA board meeting being held tomorrow.